Automatic water feed method in lavatory using artificial retina sensor and automatic water feed mechanism in lavatory using artificial retina sensor

ABSTRACT

The invention presents an automatic water feed method in lavatory using artificial retina sensor and an automatic water feed mechanism in lavatory using artificial retina sensor which detects the user of the lavatory securely.  
     The invention controls a water feed operation of a lavatory such as flush urinal and hand washer by visually recognizing the user of the lavatory by means of an artificial retina sensor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a novel automatic water feedmethod in lavatory using an artificial retina sensor and a novelautomatic water feed mechanism in lavatory using the artificial retinasensor, being configured to feed water automatically in a lavatory suchas flush urinal and hand washer by means of an artificial retina sensor.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004]FIG. 29 shows a conventional hand washer 602 for feeding waterautomatically by using a light reflection system. In FIG. 29, a sensorunit 603 comprises light emitting means (not shown) for emitting lightL₁ such as infrared ray or near infrared ray toward the user U, andlight receiving means (not shown) for receiving reflected light L₂coming from the user U. When the reflected light L₂ is received, wateris supplied from a discharge pipe 602 a installed on a mounting plane601 of a basin 600 of the hand washer 602.

[0005] However, since the light emitting means is set so that the lightL₁ may be directed toward a bowl 604, if the bowl 604 is made ofstainless steel or other metal of high reflectivity and the bottom isshallow, similar light other than the reflected light L₂ may enter thelight receiving means, which may cause a wrong detection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention is devised in the light of the above problem, andit is hence an object thereof to detect the user of the lavatorysecurely.

[0007] To achieve the object, the automatic water feed method inlavatory using artificial retina sensor of the invention (a first aspectof the invention) is configured to control the water feed operation of alavatory such as flush urinal and hand washer by visually recognizingthe user of the lavatory by means of an artificial retina sensor.

[0008] That is, in the first aspect of the invention, the user of thelavatory can be detected securely by the artificial retina sensor.

[0009] A second aspect of the invention presents an automatic water feedmethod in lavatory using artificial retina sensor, being configured tocontrol the water feed operation of a lavatory such as flush urinal andhand washer by visually recognizing the user of the lavatory by means ofan artificial retina sensor, and further to limit the viewing fieldregion of the artificial retina sensor only in the region of waterdischarge from the lavatory.

[0010] That is, in the second aspect of the invention, by setting theviewing field region of the artificial retina sensor so that the inputimage captured by the artificial retina sensor may not include theregion out of reach of water discharged from the lavatory, uselessinformation can be omitted, and therefore the recognition object image(acquired image) obtained by the artificial retina sensor is sharper,the motion of the hands positioned on the water discharge line from thelavatory can be judged accurately, so that malfunction can be preventedsecurely.

[0011] A third aspect of the invention presents an automatic water feedmechanism in lavatory using the artificial retina sensor comprising alavatory such as flush urinal or hand washer, an artificial retinasensor for visually recognizing the user of the lavatory, and a controlunit for controlling water feed operation of the lavatory on the basisof the output from the artificial retina sensor.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the invention presents an automatic water feedmechanism in lavatory using the artificial retina sensor comprising alavatory such as flush urinal or hand washer, an artificial retinasensor for visually recognizing the user of the lavatory, and a controlunit for controlling water feed operation of the lavatory on the basisof the output from the artificial retina sensor, in which the viewingfield region of the artificial retina sensor is limited to include onlythe region of water discharge from the lavatory.

[0013] In the fourth aspect of the invention, too, by omitting uselessinformation, the recognition object image (acquired image) is sharper,and the motion of the hands positioned on the water discharge line canbe judged accurately. As a result, malfunction can be prevented.

[0014] A fifth aspect of the invention presents an automatic water feedmethod in lavatory using the artificial retina sensor comprising alavatory such as flush urinal or hand washer, an artificial retinasensor for visually recognizing the user of the lavatory, and a controlunit for controlling water feed operation of the lavatory on the basisof the output from the artificial retina sensor, in which a plurality ofartificial retina sensors are provided in order to recognize the uservisually together with a perspective sense.

[0015] A sixth aspect of the invention presents an automatic water feedmechanism in lavatory using the artificial retina sensor comprising alavatory such as flush urinal or hand washer, an artificial retinasensor for visually recognizing the user of the lavatory, and a controlunit for controlling water feed operation of the lavatory on the basisof the output from the artificial retina sensor, in which a plurality ofartificial retina sensors are provided in order to recognize the uservisually together with a perspective sense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a general structural explanatory diagram showingembodiment 1 of the invention.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a structural explanatory diagram of artificial retinasensor in the embodiment.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a structural explanatory diagram showing a range ofviewing field region of artificial retina sensor in the height directionin the embodiment.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a structural explanatory diagram showing the width ofviewing field region of artificial retina sensor in the lateraldirection in the embodiment.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing automatic water feed process in theembodiment.

[0021]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an input image of surface of a bowl inthe embodiment.

[0022]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an input image when the user of thelavatory is washing hands in the embodiment.

[0023]FIG. 8 is also a diagram showing an input image when the user ofthe lavatory is washing hands in the embodiment.

[0024]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an input image of the bowl surfacedepicting a foreign matter other than the hands of the user in theembodiment.

[0025]FIG. 10 is a structural explanatory diagram showing a processingstep of input image in the embodiment.

[0026]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an acquired image in the embodiment.

[0027]FIG. 12 is also a diagram showing an acquired image in theembodiment.

[0028]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a change image extracting the numberof dot changes in two continuous acquired images when transferring fromnon-use state to use state.

[0029]FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a change image extracting the numberof dot changes in two continuous acquired images during use.

[0030]FIG. 15 is a structural explanatory diagram of artificial retinasensor in embodiment 2 of the invention.

[0031]FIG. 16 is a structural explanatory diagram showing a range ofviewing field region of artificial retina sensor in the height directionin embodiment 2.

[0032]FIG. 17 is a structural explanatory diagram showing the width ofviewing field region of artificial retina sensor in the lateraldirection in embodiment 2.

[0033]FIG. 18 is a structural explanatory diagram showing a processingstep of input image in embodiment 2.

[0034]FIG. 19 is a general structural explanatory diagram showingembodiment 3 of the invention.

[0035]FIG. 20 is a diagram explaining an example of automatic water feedoperation in embodiment 3.

[0036]FIG. 21 is a structural explanatory diagram of artificial retinasensor in embodiment 3 of the invention.

[0037]FIG. 22 is a structural explanatory diagram showing the viewingfield region of artificial retina sensor in embodiment 3.

[0038]FIG. 23 is a structural explanatory diagram showing an example ofprocessing step of input image in embodiment 3.

[0039]FIG. 24 is an operation explanatory diagram showing an example ofautomatic water feed operation in embodiment 3.

[0040]FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of automatic water feedprocess in embodiment 3 of the invention.

[0041]FIG. 26 is a structural explanatory diagram showing the viewingfield region of artificial retina sensor in embodiment 4 of theinvention.

[0042]FIG. 27 is an operation explanatory diagram showing an example ofautomatic water feed operation in embodiment 4.

[0043]FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an example of automatic water feedprocess in embodiment 4 of the invention.

[0044]FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a water feed operation in a priorart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below whilereferring to the accompanying drawings. It must be noted, however, thatthe invention is not limited by the illustrated embodiments alone.

[0046]FIG. 1 to FIG. 14 show embodiment 1 of the invention.

[0047] In FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, an automatic water feed mechanism mainlyconsists of a hand washer 1, an artificial retina sensor 2, and acontrol unit 3 for controlling the water feed operation of the handwasher 1 on the basis of the output of the artificial retina sensor 2.

[0048] Further, the hand washer 1 is composed of a basin 1 a composed ofa bowl 4 and a horizontal mounting plane 5, and a faucet main bodyhaving a discharge pipe 6 installed on the horizontal mounting plane 5.The bowl 4 is white in color. The discharge pipe 6 is inclined by aspecified angle θ (θ being an acute angle) from a vertical plane Nperpendicular to the horizontal plane of the horizontal mounting plane 5to the bowl 4 side so as to be directed to the bowl 4. Reference numeral6 b is a discharge port.

[0049] On the other hand, the artificial retina sensor 2 has a camerafunction, and is disposed on the front side 6 a of the discharge pipe 6so that the input image captured by the artificial retina sensor 2through a sensing window 9 (described later) may be within a conicalviewing field region (light receiving region) (m) as shown in FIG. 2,FIG. 3, and FIG. 4. FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 show the viewing fieldregion (m) of the artificial retina sensor 2, and more specifically FIG.2 and FIG. 3 show the range along the height direction (T direction)from the bottom (g) of the bowl 4 of the basin 1 a, while FIG. 4 showsthe width in the lateral direction (W direction) of the basin 1 a. Therange along the T direction of the viewing field region (m) is from thebottom (g) of the bowl 4 to the position of height (h). Further, in FIG.4, M₁ is water discharge region, and when the user projects hands intothis region M₁ and brings closer to the discharge port 6 b, water isdischarged from the discharge port 6 b. Meanwhile, M₂ and M₃ arenon-discharge regions. In this embodiment, the artificial retina sensor2 has 1024 (32×32) pixels (dots).

[0050] The artificial retina sensor 2 is mainly composed of, as shown inFIG. 2, a wide-angle lens 7 of a circular front view forming a nearlyconical viewing field region (m), a photo detector element array 8positioned immediately beneath the wide-angle lens 7, and a sensingwindow 9 of a circular front view positioned immediately above thewide-angle lens 7. The photo detector element array 8 has a square frontview, and is formed on a circuit board 11 mounted on a base 10, therebyforming an LSI. In this embodiment, for example, 1024 photo detectorelements corresponding to a 32×32 image plate are disposed on thecircuit board 11. That is, in the embodiment, the 32×32 image plate iscomposed of the photo detector element array 8, circuit board 11, andbase 10. Reference numeral 12 is a cover for surrounding the sensingwindow 9, and 13 is a ring-shaped waterproof packing.

[0051] That is, in order to extend the viewing field region of theartificial retina sensor 2 as much as possible, in this embodiment, thewide-angle lens 7 is provided above the photo detector element array 8.By this wide-angle lens 7, the viewing field region (m) is set so as toinclude not only the water discharge region M₁ but also non-dischargeregions M₂, M₃.

[0052]FIG. 6 to FIG. 9 show input images captured by the artificialretina sensor 2.

[0053]FIG. 6 is an input image of the surface 4 a of the bowl 4 made of,for example, white porcelain, and a drain hole 4 c of the bowl 4 isdepicted. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are input images of the user U of the handwasher 1 as object of detection in the process of washing hands. FIG. 9is an input image of the surface 4 a of the bowl 4 showing foreignmatter Z other than the hands of the user U.

[0054] The control unit 3 is composed of, as shown in FIG. 1, amicrocomputer 15, a memory 16 including two memory units 16 a, 16 b, asolenoid valve 17 responsible for water discharge and stopping action ofthe discharge pipe 6, a solenoid valve drive circuit 18 for driving andcontrolling the solenoid valve 17, a drive power source 21 of thecontrol unit 3, an alarm display circuit 19 for displaying drop ofsupply voltage of the drive power source 21, and a low voltage circuitand voltage monitoring circuit 20.

[0055] The processing steps of input image captured by the artificialretina sensor 2 are shown. As the input image, an example of input imageA in FIG. 7 is explained.

[0056] In FIG. 10, (1) an input image A is issued from the artificialretina sensor 2 as an output image A′, and is input to the microcomputer15.

[0057] (2) In the microcomputer 15, the output image A′ is optimized,and a recognition object image is acquired. As optimizing process, forexample, when binary processing (black and white processing) is done, arecognition object image A″ as shown in FIG. 10 is obtained (see alsoFIG. 12). As described below, the black display shows the presence of anobject, and the white display indicates the absence of an object.

[0058] (3) This recognition object image (hereinafter called acquiredimage) A″ is stored into the memory 16 from the microcomputer 15.

[0059] Similarly, by the microcomputer 15, the input image B in FIG. 6is processed as acquired image B″ (see FIG. 11). The input image C inFIG. 8 is processed as acquired image C″. The input image D in FIG. 9 isprocessed as acquired image D″.

[0060] Consequently, these acquired images A″, B″, C″, D″, and so forthare processed by the recognition algorithm in the memory 16. Meanwhile,the input images A, B, C, D, etc. are those obtained in the 32×32 imageplates.

[0061] Relating to the acquired image B″, acquired image A″, andacquired image C″ the processing procedure by the recognition algorithmis explained.

[0062] As mentioned above, FIG. 11 and FIG. 10 (FIG. 12) show acquiredimages B″ and A″ of the input image B and input image A, respectively.

[0063] In FIG. 5, the user U goes to the hand washer 1 to wash hands(see step 100). First, at step 101, the acquired image B″ while the userU is not washing hands is stored in the memory unit 16 a.

[0064] Next, when the user U extends hands to the bowl 4 for washing,the acquired image A″ is taken, and the acquired image A″ is stored inthe memory unit 16 b (see step 102).

[0065] At step 103, referring to the memory units 16 a, 16 b, the numberof changes (a) of dots for composing the image is extracted. That is, inthe memory 16, the acquired image B″ stored first in time and theacquired image A″ stored later in time are compared, and only theposition changed in the number of dots (difference) is extracted, sothat a change image S₁ showing a dot change as shown in FIG. 13 isobtained.

[0066] For example, in FIG. 11, dot d₁ in black display shown in thefirst acquired image B″ is also shown in the later acquired image A″(see FIG. 12), and hence in the change image S₁, position p of locationof dot d₁ (see FIG. 13) is displayed in white, which tells no change ismade.

[0067] By contrast, dot d₂ in black display shown in the acquired imageA″ (see FIG. 12) is not found at the corresponding position in theacquired image B″ (see FIG. 11), and therefore in the change image S₁,dot d₂ remains in black display.

[0068] This invention is designed to judge if the number of dot changes(a) recognized in the change image S₁ is within a specified range or not(see step 104). For example, the upper limit of number of dot changes(a) is 960, and the lower limit is 128.

[0069] That is, at step 104, when the number of dot changes (a) isjudged to be within this range, a valve opening signal for opening thesolenoid valve 17 is sent from the microcomputer 15 to the solenoidvalve drive circuit 18, so that water is discharged from the dischargepipe 6 (see step 105).

[0070] (1) In this case, the acquired image B″ stored earlier than theacquired image A″ is deleted, and the acquired image A″ is moved fromthe memory unit 16 b into the vacated memory unit 16 a (see step 106).

[0071] In succession, the acquired image C″ acquired later in time thanthe acquired image A″ is stored into the vacated memory unit 16 b (seestep 107).

[0072] Further, same as at step 103, referring to the memory units 16 a,16 b, the number of dot changes (a) for composing the image is extracted(see step 108). That is, in the memory 16, the acquired image A″ storedfirst in time and the acquired image C″ stored later in time arecompared, and only the position changed in the number of dots isextracted, so that a change image S₂ showing a dot change as shown inFIG. 14 is obtained.

[0073] That is, in FIG. 14, comparing two acquired images A″ and C″ asthe object of detection during use of the hand washer, the change imageS₂ extracting only dot changes in the acquired images A″, C″ is shown.

[0074] In this embodiment, when the number of dot changes (a) in theextracted change image S₂ is 64 or more, it is judged that the handwasher is being used (see step 109), and the acquired images C″ andsubsequent images are acquired continuously. When the number of dotchanges (a) is less than 64, a valve close signal for closing thesolenoid valve 17 is sent from the microcomputer 15 to the solenoidvalve drive circuit 18 (see step 110). Then the process returns to step105.

[0075] (2) At step 104, if the number of dot changes (a) is judged to beout of the specified range, the acquired image B″ stored earlier thanthe acquired image A″ is deleted, and the acquired image A″ is movedfrom the memory unit 16 b into the vacated memory unit 16 a (see step111). Then the process returns to step 102.

[0076] Thus, changes in the number of dots are operated in twoconsecutive acquired images B″, A″, and A″, C″, and the motion of theobject of sensing is detected by the difference, so that the sensingmethod not affected by the color of the basin 1 can be presented.

[0077] At step 104, it is judged if water can be discharged or not innon-use state (closed state of solenoid valve 17). That is, when thesolenoid valve 17 is closed, if the number of dot changes (a) is a≧128,a valve open signal is sent to the solenoid valve 17, but the upperlimit of the number of dot changes (a) is set at 960 because sensingcontrol is effected visually. That is, in the environments of use, thesurrounding brightness has a large influence, and in the case of a room,for example, considering a case of extinguishing of lighting, an upperlimit is required in recognition value by the number of dot changes (a).As a result, malfunction due to lighting or extinguishing can beavoided.

[0078] The number of photo detector elements used in the invention isnot limited to 1024.

[0079]FIG. 15 to FIG. 18 show embodiment 2 of the invention in which theviewing field region (m′) is set so as to include only the waterdischarge region M₁ by using a condenser lens 30. In FIG. 15 to FIG. 18,same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 to FIG. 14 refer to same objects.

[0080] In FIG. 15 to FIG. 18, an artificial retina sensor 2′ has acondenser lens 30 disposed between a narrow-angle lens 7′ and a photodetector element array 8.

[0081] The condenser lens 30 has a function of narrowing the width inthe W direction of the viewing field region (m) in embodiment 1 so as toinclude only the water discharge region M_(1,) and further setting theheight in the T direction in viewing field region (m′) higher than inthe viewing field region (m) in embodiment 1. The range along the Tdirection of the viewing field region (m′) is from the bottom (g) of thebowl 4 to the position of height H (>h). The width in the lateraldirection (W direction) of the viewing field region (m′) includes onlythe water discharge region M₁. As a result, the image I of the viewingfield region (m′) seen from the sensing window 9 is as shown in FIG. 18.That is, by disposing the condenser lens 30 between the narrow-anglelens 7′ and photo detector element array 8, the viewing field region(m′) can be heightened in the height direction (T direction), and theviewing field region (m′) is set vertically long so as to include onlythe water discharge region M₁.

[0082] On the other hand, the narrow-angle lens 7′ is set to narrow theviewing field region (m′) of the artificial retina sensor 2′ as much aspossible. As a result of combination of the narrow-angle lens 7′ andcondenser lens 30, the input image A₁ captured by the artificial retinasensor 2′ through the sensing window 9 is as shown in FIG. 18.

[0083] In FIG. 18, (1) the input image A₁ becomes an output image A₁′from the artificial retina sensor 2′, and is input to the microcomputer15. (2) In the microcomputer 15, the output image A₁′ is optimized, anda recognition object image A₁″ is obtained.

[0084] In this embodiment, since the non-discharge regions M₂, M₃ arenot included in the viewing field region m′ of the artificial retinasensor 2′, useless information from the non-discharge regions M₂, M₃ canbe omitted. Accordingly, the recognition object image (acquired image)A₁″ obtained in the artificial retina sensor 2′ is sharper, and themotion of hands of the user U in the water discharge region M₁ can bejudged more accurately, so that malfunction can be prevented securely.

[0085] The invention is not limited to the hand washer, but may beapplied to flush urinal and other lavatories.

[0086] The first to fourth aspects of the invention using one artificialretina sensor have been explained so far.

[0087] In fifth and sixth aspects of the invention, a plurality ofartificial retina sensors are used as explained below.

[0088]FIG. 19 to FIG. 25 refer to embodiment 3 of the inventionconfigured so as to monitor the user U of a flush urinal 31 from aposition immediately above the flush urinal 31, by disposing a pair ofartificial retina sensors 2 _(Right), 2 _(Left) at right and leftpositions of a water feed piping 32 of the flush urinal 31 so that thecentral axes X₁, X₂ of the viewing field regions (light receivingregions) m, m may be parallel to each other. In FIG. 19 to FIG. 25, samereference numerals as in FIG. 1 to FIG. 18 refer to same objects.

[0089] In FIG. 19 and FIG. 21, the automatic water feed mechanismcomprises the flush urinal 31, two artificial retina sensors 2 _(Right),2 _(Left) having a camera function, and a control unit 3′ forcontrolling the water feed operation of the flush urinal 31 on the basisof outputs from the artificial retina sensors 2 _(Right), 2 _(Left). Theartificial retina sensor 2 _(Right) is positioned at the right side ofthe front of the flush urinal 31, and the artificial retina sensor 2_(Left) is positioned at the left side of the front of the flush urinal31. The two artificial retina sensors 2 _(Right), 2 _(Left) are providedbecause the user U of the flush urinal 31 as the object of sensing canbe recognized securely with a perspective sense as compared with thecase of one artificial retina sensor.

[0090] The flush urinal 31 is installed in a vertical state on a frontside 34 a of a wall 34. Reference numeral 32 is a water feed piping,which projects upward from the top of the flush urinal 31, and is bentto the wall side, and is connected to a piping 36 disposed at the rearside 34 b of the wall 34. That is, the downstream end of the water feedpiping 32 is connected to the flush urinal side, and the upstream end isconnected to the piping 36.

[0091] The structure of the artificial retina sensors 2 _(Right), 2_(Left) is as shown in FIG. 21, which is same as the structure of theartificial retina sensor 2 shown in FIG. 2.

[0092] In FIG. 23, A is an image seen from the sensing window 9 of, forexample, the artificial retina sensor 2 _(Right). That is, A is an inputimage captured by the artificial retina sensor 2 _(Right).

[0093] The processing steps of the image seen from the sensing window 9of the artificial retina sensor 2 _(Right) are explained below whilereferring to FIG. 19 and FIG. 23.

[0094] In FIG. 19 and FIG. 23, (1) the input image A becomes an outputimage A′ from the artificial retina sensor 2 _(Right), and is input tothe microcomputer 15.

[0095] (2) In the microcomputer 15, the output image A′ is optimized,and a recognition object image is acquired. As optimizing process, forexample, when binary processing (black and white processing) is done, arecognition object image A″ as shown in FIG. 23 is obtained. Asdescribed below, the black display shows the presence of an object (theuser U), and the white display indicates the presence of the flushurinal 31.

[0096] (3) This recognition object image (hereinafter called acquiredimage) A″ is stored into the memory 16 from the microcomputer 15.

[0097] On the other hand, FIG. 24 is a diagram explaining the water feedoperation of the flush urinal 31 when the user U approaches the flushurinal 31.

[0098]FIG. 24(A) shows an acquired image P_(R1)″ corresponding to theinput image P (not shown) captured by the artificial retina sensor 2_(Right) and an acquired image Q_(L1)″ corresponding to the input imageQ (not shown) captured by the artificial retina sensor 2 _(Left), whenthe user U of the flush urinal 31 is at a remote position. Naturally,these acquired images P_(R1)″ and Q_(L1)″ correspond to the images seenat the same time from the sensing windows 9, 9. In FIG. 24(A), forexample, the flush urinal 31 and the user U of the flush urinal 31 areapart by a distance corresponding to length L₁. As mentioned above, forexample, the acquired image P_(R1)″ is an acquired image obtained as aresult of optimizing process (for example, binary processing) of theoutput image P′ as the input image P is input to the microcomputer 15through the output image P′ (not shown) from the artificial retinasensor 2 _(Right). Since the user U is away, the input image P and inputimage Q are nearly same and there is few mutual change.

[0099]FIG. 24(B) shows an acquired image P_(R2)″ corresponding to theinput image P″ (not shown) captured by the artificial retina sensor 2_(Right) and an acquired image Q_(L2)″ corresponding to the input imageQ″ (not shown) captured by the artificial retina sensor 2 _(Left), whenthe user U approaches the flush urinal 31.

[0100] Naturally, these acquired images P_(R2)″, P_(R1)″ and acquiredimages Q_(L2″, Q) _(L1)″ are mutually consecutive images. That is, FIG.24(B) shows the acquired images P_(R2)″, Q_(L2)″, for example, when thedistance between the flush urinal 31 and the user U of the flush urinal31 is shortened to a distance corresponding to length L₂ (<L₁). Asmentioned above, for example, the acquired image P_(R2)″ is an acquiredimage obtained as a result of optimizing process (for example, binaryprocessing) of the output image P′″ as the input image P″ is input tothe microcomputer 15 through the output image P′″ (not shown) from theartificial retina sensor 2 _(Right), but as compared with the case ofFIG. 24(A), since the user U is closer to the flush urinal 31, theacquired image P_(R2)″ and acquired image Q_(L2)″ are mutuallydifferent.

[0101]FIG. 24(C) shows an acquired image PR3″ and an acquired image QL3″when the user U approaches more closely to the flush urinal 31 ascompared with the case in FIG. 24(B). Naturally, these acquired imagesP_(R3)″, P_(R2)″ and acquired images Q_(L3)″, Q_(L2)″ are mutuallyconsecutive images. That is, FIG. 24(C) shows the acquired image P_(R3)″corresponding to the input image captured by the artificial retinasensor 2 _(Right) and acquired image Q_(L3)′ corresponding to the inputimage captured by the artificial retina sensor 2 _(Left), when thedistance between the flush urinal 31 and the user U of the flush urinal31 is shortened further to a distance corresponding to, for example,length L₃ (<L₂ <L₁). As mentioned above, for example, the acquired imageP_(R3)″ is an acquired image obtained as a result of optimizing process(for example, binary processing) of the output image as the input imageseen from the sensing window 9 is input to the microcomputer 15 throughthe output image from the artificial retina sensor 2 _(Right). However,as compared with the case of FIG. 24(B), since the user U is furthercloser to the flush urinal 31, the image of the user U appears on theentire surface of the input image seen from the sensing window 9, and,as mentioned below, since artificial retina sensors 2 _(Right), 2_(Left) are disposed at right and left symmetrical positions so that thecentral axes X₁, X₂ of the viewing field regions (light receivingregions) m, m may be parallel to each other, in the acquired imageP_(R3)′ and the acquired image Q_(L3)″, the image portions 200, 201corresponding to the image of the user U are nearly covering the entirearea, the image portions 200, 201 are mutually positionedasymmetrically.

[0102] Further, the two artificial retina sensors 2 _(Right), 2 _(Left)are disposed at right and left symmetrical positions on both sides ofthe water feed piping 32 (see FIG. 22).

[0103] For example, a fixing plate (not shown) for fixing the artificialretina sensors 2 _(Right), 2 _(Left) is installed at the front side 34 aof the wall 34, and the two artificial retina sensors 2 _(Right), 2_(Left) are fitted to the fixing plate with the sensing windows 9, 9facing the direction vertical to the front side 34 a of the wall 34.

[0104] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, the artificial retinasensors 2 _(Right), 2 _(Left) are disposed at right and left symmetricalpositions on both sides of the water feed piping 32 so that the centralaxes X₁, X₂ of the viewing field regions (light receiving regions) m, mmay be parallel to each other.

[0105] Then a box-shaped cover 35 c having openings 9 a, 9 a [see FIG.20(C)] where the two sensing windows 9, 9 are positioned is fitted tothe fixing plate, and the two artificial retina sensors 2 _(Right), 2_(Left) are covered.

[0106] In this embodiment, the artificial retina sensors 2 _(Right, 2)_(Left) having 1024 (32×32) pixels (dots) are used, but other twoartificial retina sensors having a different number of pixels (dots) maybe also used in the present invention. The control unit 31 of theembodiment is same in configuration as the control unit 3 shown in FIG.1.

[0107] Referring now to examples of the acquired image P_(R1)″(hereinafter called LSI{circle over (1)} image), acquired image QL₁″(LSI{circle over (2)} image), the acquired image P_(R2)″ (LSI {circleover (3)} image), acquired image Q_(L2)″ (LSI{circle over (4)} image),acquired image P_(R3)″ (LSI{circle over (5)} image), and acquired imageQ_(L3)′ (LSI{circle over (6)} image), procedure of processing byrecognition algorithm is explained.

[0108] In FIG. 24(A) and FIG. 25, the user U goes to the flush urinal 31(see step 120). First, as shown at step 121, while the user U is awayfrom the flush urinal 31 by a distance corresponding to length L₁, ofthe two LSI images, for example, LSI{circle over (1)} image is stored inthe memory unit 16 a and LSI{circle over (2)} image is stored in thememory unit 16 b.

[0109] In FIG. 24(A), the image portion 300 (black portion)corresponding to the image of the user U in the LSI{circle over (1)}image is supposed to be composed of M dots. Similarly, the image portion301 (black portion) corresponding to the image of the user U in theLSI{circle over (2)} image is supposed to be composed of N dots. At step122, the memory units 16 a, 16 b are referred to, the change in thenumber of dots is calculated, and the number of dot changes (a)(=absolute value |M−N|) is extracted.

[0110] Herein, to calculate the number of dot changes,

[0111] (1) Overlapping the LSI{circle over (1)} image and LSI{circleover (2)} image, if there is an overlapping portion of image portions300, 301, it means to calculate so as to delete the overlapping portionand maintain the non-overlapping portions of image portions 300, 301.That is, it means to calculate the absolute value |M−N|, and

[0112] (2) As shown, for example, in FIG. 27(A) below, if there is nooverlapping portion of image portions 300 a, 301 a by overlapping theLSI{circle over (1)} image and LSI{circle over (2)} image, it means tocalculate to maintain the both portions 300 a, 301 a. That is, it meansto calculate the number of dot changes (a) (=number of dots G forcomposing image portion 300 a+number of dots H for composing imageportion 301 a).

[0113] As a result of the calculation, the change image S₁ shown in FIG.24(A) is obtained. As recognized in this change image S₁, the number ofdot changes (a) presumed to be displayed in black is hardly observed.

[0114] This is because the user U is away from the flush urinal 31, thecentral axes X₁, X₂ of the viewing field regions (light receivingregions) m, m are parallel to each other, and the artificial retinasensors 2 _(Right), 2 _(Left) are disposed at right and left symmetricalpositions, and therefore the image portions 300, 301 are composed of anearly same number of dots (M being nearly equal to N), and are presentat the same position.

[0115] The present invention is configured to judge if the number of dotchanges (a) recognized in the change image S₁ is within a specifiedrange or not (see step 123). For example, the upper limit of the numberof dot changes (a) (=absolute value |M−N|) is 960, and the lower limitis set at 64.

[0116] That is, at step 123, when the absolute value |M−N| is judged tobe in a range of 960≧number of dot changes (a)≧64, a valve open signalfor opening the solenoid valve 17 is sent from the microcomputer 15 tothe solenoid valve drive circuit 18, and water is discharged from thewater feed piping 32, but since the number of dot changes (a) (=M−N≈0)recognized in the change image S₁ is smaller than or equal to the lowerlimit, and the process returns to step 121, and newly acquired imagesshown in FIG. 24(B), that is, LSI{circle over (3)} image and LSI{circleover (4)} image are stored, for example, in the memory unit 16 a andmemory unit 16 b, respectively. In this case, the already stored imagesLSI{circle over (1)} image and LSI {circle over (2)} image are deleted.

[0117] Successively, at step 122, the memory units 16 a, 16 b arereferred to, and the number of changes of the number of dots M′ forcomposing the image portion 400 (black portion) corresponding to theimage of the user U in the LSI{circle over (3)} image and the number ofdots N′ for composing the image portion 401 (black portion)corresponding to the image of the user U in the LSI{circle over (4)}image are calculated, and the number of dot changes (a) (=absolute value|M′−N′|) is extracted. In this case, too, overlapping the LSI{circleover (3)} image and LSI{circle over (4)} image, the overlapping portionis deleted, and a change image S₂ as shown in FIG. 24(B) is obtained. Inthis case, too, the number of dot changes (a) of the change image S₂judged at step 123 is smaller than or equal to the lower limit, and theprocess returns to step 121 again.

[0118] The LSI{circle over (3)} image and LSI{circle over (4)} imagestored in the memory unit 16 a and memory unit 16 b are deleted, andnewly acquired images shown in FIG. 24(C), that is, LSI{circle over (5)}image and LSI{circle over (6)} image are stored, for example, in thememory unit 16 a and memory unit 16 b, respectively.

[0119] Successively, at step 122, the memory units 16 a, 16 b arereferred to, and the number of changes of the number of dots M″ forcomposing the image portion 200 (black portion) corresponding to theimage of the user U in the LSI{circle over (5)} image and the number ofdots N″ for composing the image portion 201 (black portion)corresponding to the image of the user U in the LSI{circle over (6)}image are calculated, and the number of dot changes (a) (=absolute value|N″−N″|) is extracted. In this case, too, overlapping the LSI{circleover (5)} image and LSI{circle over (6)} image, the overlapping portionis deleted, and a change image S₃ as shown in FIG. 24(C) is obtained. Inthis case, at step 123, the absolute value |M″−N″| is judged to bewithin a range of 960≧number of dot changes (a)≧64.

[0120] Accordingly, at step 124, a valve open signal for opening thesolenoid valve 17 is sent from the microcomputer 15 to the solenoidvalve drive circuit 18, and water is discharged from the water feedpiping 32.

[0121] During discharge of water, newly acquired novel images(consecutive image) not shown are stored in the memory unit 16 a andmemory unit 16 b from which the LSI{circle over (5)} image andLSI{circle over (6)} image are deleted (see step 125). The novel imagesare respectively LSI{circle over (7)} image and LSI{circle over (8)}image, and the number of dot changes (a) is judged similarly.

[0122] That is, in the water discharge state, at step 126, the memoryunits 16 a, 16 b are referred to, and the number of changes of thenumber of dots M′″ for composing the image portion corresponding to theimage of the user U in the LSI {circle over (7)} image (not shown) andthe number of dots N′″ for composing the image portion corresponding tothe image of the user U in the LSI{circle over (8)} image (not shown)are calculated, and the number of dot changes (a) (=absolute value|M′″−N′″|) is extracted. In this case, if the absolute value |M′″−N′″|exceeds, for example, 64, it is judged that the user U leaves the flushurinal 31 (see step 127), and the microcomputer 15 sends a valve closesignal to the solenoid valve 17 (see step 128).

[0123] On the other hand, if the absolute value |M′″−N′″| is, forexample, less than 64, it is judged that the user U still remains at theflush urinal 31 (see step 127), and the valve open signal continues tobe transmitted, and the process returns to step 125.

[0124]FIG. 20 shows an example of water feed operation. When the user Uapproaches the flush urinal 31 within 55 cm, a green lamp lights for 1second [see FIG. 20(A)], and in about another 1 second, the flush urinal31 is prewashed for 2 seconds [see FIG. 20(B)]. After use, when the userU leaves the flush urinal 31, the flush urinal 31 is washed for 6seconds [see FIG. 20(C)]. Moreover, to prevent drying of discharge pipeof the flush urinal 31 if the flush urinal 31 is not used for a longperiod, it is automatically flushed in every 24 hours.

[0125]FIG. 26 to FIG. 28 refer to embodiment 4 of the present inventionconfigured so as to monitor the user U of a flush urinal 31 from aposition immediately above the flush urinal 31, by disposing a pair ofartificial retina sensors 2 _(Right), 2 _(Left) at right and leftpositions of a water feed piping 32 of the flush urinal 31 so that thecentral axes X₁, X₂ of the viewing field regions (light receivingregions) m, m may intersect each other. In FIG. 26 to FIG. 28, samereference numerals as in FIG. 1 to FIG. 25 refer to same or equivalentobjects.

[0126] The procedure of process by recognition algorithm is explainedbelow.

[0127] In FIG. 27(A) and FIG. 28, the user U goes to the flush urinal 31(see step 500). First, as shown at step 501, while the user U is awayfrom the flush urinal 31 by a distance corresponding to length L₁, ofthe two LSI images, for example, LSI{circle over (1)} image is stored inthe memory unit 16 a and LSI{circle over (2)} image is stored in thememory unit 16 b.

[0128] In FIG. 27(A), the image portion 300 a (black portion)corresponding to the image of the user U in the LSI{circle over (1)}image is supposed to be composed of G dots. Similarly, the image portion301 a (black portion) corresponding to the image of the user U in theLSI{circle over (2)} image is supposed to be composed of H dots. At step502, the memory units 16 a, 16 b are referred to, and the change in thenumber of dots (a) is extracted.

[0129] In this case, different from above-mentioned embodiment 3, inembodiment 4, since the artificial retina sensors 2 _(Right), 2 _(Left)are disposed at right and left positions of the water feed piping 32 ofthe flush urinal 31 so that the central axes X₁, X₂ of the viewing fieldregions (light receiving regions) m, m may intersect each other, theimage portion 300 a and image portion 301 b are mutually composed ofnearly same number pixels (G≈H), but are not located at the sameposition as in above-mentioned embodiment 3 as shown in FIG. 24(A), butare present at mutually exact opposite positions as shown in FIG. 27(A).That is, the change image F₁ obtained as a result of calculation of thenumber ofdot changes is exactly same as the remaining of the imageportion 300 a and image portion 301 a.

[0130] Next, at step 503, when the number of dot changes (a) recognizedin the change image F₁ is judged to be less than 64, a valve open signalfor opening the solenoid valve 17 is transmitted to the solenoid valvedrive circuit 18 from the microcomputer 15, and water is discharged fromthe water feed pipe 32, but since the number of dot changes (a)recognized in the change image F₁ is more than or equal to 64, goingback to step 501, newly acquired novel images shown in FIG. 27(B), thatis, LSI{circle over (3)} image and LSI{circle over (4)} image arestored, for example, in the memory unit 16 a and memory unit 16 brespectively. In this case, the previously stored LSI{circle over (1)}image and LSI{circle over (2)} image are deleted.

[0131] Successively, at step 502, the memory units 16 a, 16 b arereferred to, and the number of changes (a) of the number of dots G′ forcomposing the image portion 400 (black portion) corresponding to theimage of the user U in the LSI{circle over (3)} image and the number ofdots H′ for composing the image portion 401 (black portion)corresponding to the image of the user U in the LSI{circle over (4)}image are extracted. In this case, in FIG. 27(B) same as in FIG. 27(A),although the image portion 400 a and image portion 401 a are composed ofa nearly same number of dots (G′≈H′), as shown in FIG. 24(B), the imageportion 400 and image portion 401 are notpartly overlapped, but theimage portion 400 a and image portion 401 a are separate from eachother, and the change image F₂ obtained as a result of calculation ofthe number of dot changes (a) is same as the remaining of the imageportion 400 a and image portion 401 a. In this case, too, the number ofdot changes (a) of the change image F₂ is more than or equal to 64, andthe process returns to step 501 again.

[0132] After the LSI{circle over (3)} image and LSI{circle over (4)}image stored in the memory unit 16 a and memory unit 16 b, respectively,are deleted, newly acquired novel images shown in FIG. 27(C), that is,LSI{circle over (5)} image and LSI{circle over (6)} image are stored,for example, in the memory unit 16 a and memory unit 16 b, respectively.

[0133] Again, at step 502, the memory units 16 a, 16 b are referred to,and the number of changes (a) is extracted from the number of dots G″for composing the image portion 200 a (black portion) corresponding tothe image of the user U in the LSI{circle over (5)} image and the numberof dots H″ for composing the image portion 201 a (black portion)corresponding to the image of the user U in the LSI{circle over (6)}image.

[0134] In this case, since the user U is further approaching the flushurinal 31, the image of the user U is shown in the entire area of theimage seen from the sensing window 9, and the image portions 200 a, 201a cover almost the entire area, and the image portions 200 a, 201 a arelocated nearly at same position. Hence, by overlapping LSI{circle over(5)} image and LSI{circle over (6)} image, the image portions 200 a, 201a are overlapped almost completely. Hence, as recognized in the changeimage F₃ obtained as a result of calculation, the number of dot changes(a) presumed to be shown in black is hardly recognized.

[0135] Herein, the number of dot changes (a) recognized in the changeimage F₁ at step 503 is judged to be less than 64, and a valve opensignal for opening the solenoid valve 17 (see step 504) is sent from themicrocomputer 15 to the solenoid valve drive circuit 18, so that wateris discharged from the water feed pipe 32.

[0136] During discharge of water, newly acquired novel images(consecutive images) not shown are stored in the memory unit 16 a andmemory 16 b, respectively, from which the LSI{circle over (5)} image andLSI{circle over (6)} image have been deleted (see step 505). The novelimages are LSI{circle over (7)} image and LSI{circle over (8)} image,and the number of dot changes (a) is similarly judged.

[0137] That is, in the water discharge state, at step 506, the memoryunits 16 a, 16 b are referred to, and the number of changes (a) isextracted. In this case, if the number of dot changes (a) is less than64, it is judged that the user U is away from the flush urinal (see step507), and the microcomputer 15 sends a valve close signal to thesolenoid valve 17 (see step 508).

[0138] If the number of dot changes (a) is over 64, on the other hand,it is judged that the user U is not away from the flush urinal 31 (seestep 507), and the transmission of valve open signal continues, and theprocess returns to step 505.

[0139] In the present invention, the number of photo detector elementsis, natually, not limited to 1024.

[0140] Also, the present invention is not limited to the flush urinal,but may be applied in the hand washer and other lavatories.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automatic water feed method in lavatory usingartificial retina sensor characterized by being configured to controlthe water feed operation of a lavatory such as flush urinal and handwasher by visually recognizing the user of the lavatory by means of anartificial retina sensor.
 2. An automatic water feed method in lavatoryusing artificial retina sensor characterized by being configured tocontrol the water feed operation of a lavatory such as flush urinal andhand washer by visually recognizing the user of the lavatory by means ofan artificial retina sensor, and further to limit the viewing fieldregion of the artificial retina sensor only in the region of waterdischarge from the lavatory.
 3. An automatic water feed mechanism inlavatory using the artificial retina sensor characterized by comprisinga lavatory such as flush urinal or hand washer, an artificial retinasensor for visually recognizing the user of the lavatory, and a controlunit for controlling water feed operation of the lavatory on the basisof the output from the artificial retina sensor.
 4. An automatic waterfeed mechanism in lavatory using the artificial retina sensorcharacterized by comprising a lavatory such as flush urinal or handwasher, an artificial retina sensor for visually recognizing the user ofthe lavatory, and a control unit for controlling water feed operation ofthe lavatory on the basis of the output from the artificial retinasensor, in which the viewing field region of the artificial retinasensor is limited to include only the region of water discharge from thelavatory.
 5. An automatic water feed method in lavatory using theartificial retina sensor characterized by comprising a lavatory such asflush urinal or hand washer, an artificial retina sensor for visuallyrecognizing the user of the lavatory, and a control unit for controllingwater feed operation of the lavatory on the basis of the output from theartificial retina sensor, in which a plurality of artificial retinasensors are provided in order to recognize the user visually togetherwith a perspective sense.
 6. An automatic water feed mechanism inlavatory using the artificial retina sensor characterized by comprisinga lavatory such as flush urinal or hand washer, an artificial retinasensor for visually recognizing the user of the lavatory, and a controlunit for controlling water feed operation of the lavatory on the basisof the output from the artificial retina sensor, in which a plurality ofartificial retina sensors are provided in order to recognize the uservisually together with a perspective sense.